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The Meaning of ‘I’ll Be Back’

The iterative development of an icon. (Photos, from left: The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, Orion Pictures, 20th Century Fox (third and fourth), Monica Almeida/The New York Times)

Angelina Jolie may be going on sabbatical, Rambo is back with a bloody trailer at the Cannes film festival, but what about everyone’s favorite action hero-turned-governor?

At the end of a speech on Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ended with his usual valediction, according to The Los Angeles Times.

“I’ll be back,” he said.

The sign off, as yawn-proof as those things get when it comes to political speeches, was first uttered by him in the Terminator movies, of course. He’s used it in eight other films, by a Wikipedia count.

Evidently, when he is “coming back,” only three words are required; when he’s not, a much longer explanation follows. More from The L.A. Times:

“And people ask me all the time about, ‘They just announced they’re going to do another Terminator movie, Terminator 4. Don’t you want to do that? Don’t you miss that?’ ” the governor said today. “And I always tell them no, I don’t miss it at all, never think about it. I love my job, I love serving the people of California, it is the greatest thing I’ve ever done.”

On the occasion of a partly tongue-in-cheek movie, “Last Action Hero,” she examined what’s behind Mr. Schwarzenegger’s evolution from bodybuilding legend to action star. She called the piece “a case study in how to project an image and build an American icon.”

The key, she said, was that “he doesn’t shed his skin with each new incarnation; he simply takes the old Arnolds along with him into the future, turning them into jokes if he must.”

Fully settled into a new incarnation as leader of the biggest state in the union, his strategy is clearly still working. Go out today and pick up a bodybuilding magazine: he’s portrayed as deity. Look back at the buzz over the Terminator rumor: still big demand there too.

No wonder the talk about his White House chances never seem to go away. Indeed, that’s may be exactly what Mr. Schwarzenegger is hoping for. It would be just another chance to use the golden catchphrase that has carried him so far.

Only a fool would star in a movie when they are in a political office, and as annoying as the Govenator is, he has proven that he is no fool. If the movie bombed, they would compare it to how he ran the state. If it did well, it could turn off conservatives bc he is going back into the bosom of the liberal media. He cannot be president bc he wasn’t born here and although his wife if American royalty, her ties won’t get him to the white house.

As despicable as the process which got him the Governorship was (that fact that it was masterminded by Karl Rove is enough make me yack), Arnold has proven himself to be a capable leader. He is in many ways exactly what the state which acts as a beacon for the rest of the country needed: a strong, confident pragmatist who cares about education reform, alternative energy, and biotechnology and is impervious to the typical right-wing obfuscations and smear tactics.

Our Governator knows the two secrets of political success and longevity in the California statehouse. Stay out of our faces wth grandiose plans to transform the world and making sure the DMV remains consumer friendly.

I loved Terminator 1 & 2, and deeply wished that they had never made the atrocious T3, or failing that, that I had never seen it. I think Arnold put it best when he handed his cinematic mantle to The Rock in ‘The Rundown’ in the first few minutes, brushed by him in a club entry and went ‘Have fun!’. I actually could care less if Arnold does another action film, The Rock is a fine replacement, but I think humorous cameos are inevitable after he’s the ex-governator.

Love ahnold, been a huge fan of his forever. I love the way he turned it around in his second term knowing that he cant get another term he has completely detached himself from both parties and does what he thinks is right and the people want. I will say that I was dissapointed somwwhat because i really wanted to see true lies 2 and conan the king. Lets hope he gets on these ASAP. Go Ahnold!!

I have never seen a ‘Terminator’ movie nor do I follow the body-building world. However, I do follow the governor of California, whoever he or she is.
Governor Schwarzenegger, I think, is doing an excellent job – making the state greener, allowing for stem cell research. These are just two of the subjects I follow, from all the states. Fortunately, he is not waiting for the federal government to do these kinds of things.
I think the entire country can thank this governor for what he is doing in these two areas.
Ruth Beazer

Changing the Constitution for Arnold? For advice ask your fellow Teuton Henry Kissinger. I suspect he’ll say the following: The only thing you’ll ever share with Harry Truman is the changing of your daily constitutional when you turn 90.

For yet another of those odd Lede spirals and coincidences, permit me to quote myself on the 4/1 Lede’s Hiatus blog:

“4.April 4th, 2007 1:13 pm Thanks for the update, I had been worried that my overblogging had killed the Lede somehow. Looking forward to the return, hopefully you won’t drive into a police station like the Terminator tho.
— Posted by Dan Stackhouse”

So anyway, what is the meaning of “I’ll be back”? I’ll be back too. :)

Just watched “The Terminator” last night and it is still great entertainment. Check out how well Arnold handles himself in comedies, like “Kindergarten Cop” and “Junior” if you want a glimpse into his true range.

What most folks miss about him is the fact he is a great student, utterly committed to success in everything he does.

I’d like to see him focus on achieving one great thing for California, whatever that is.

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The Lede is a blog that remixes national and international news stories -- adding information gleaned from the Web or gathered through original reporting -- to supplement articles in The New York Times and draw readers in to the global conversation about the news taking place online.

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